Teamwork Sandbox ™

What is virtual production? How do you know when you should have a virtual producer? Should you be your own virtual producer if you're a learning team of one? In this episode, I sit down with Kassy LaBorie to answer these questions and chat about her new book, "Producing Virtual Trainings, Meetings and Webinars" that focuses solely on virtual production. Whether you choose to be your own virtual producer, or to hire one to support you, this conversation will leave you with lots to think about and work on. 

About Our Kassy:

Kassy LaBorie is an live online facilitator, producer, instructional designer, and virtual training platform expert. She is also a frequent and popular speaker at ATD, Training Magazine and other learning and development conferences and events. In her role as director of virtual training services for Dale Carnegie Training, Kassy leads the development of the live online training events focusing on program design, trainer and producer development, and overall participant experience. Prior to joining Dale Carnegie, Kassy held positions as a master trainer for InSync Training, where she delivered online programs using the many platforms available, and as a senior trainer at WebEx helping to build the WebEx University. She started her training career as a software trainer for which allowed her to develop the necessary technical agility to effortlessly run online events.

Want to purchase Kassy's new book, "Producing Virtual Training, Meetings, and Webinars?" You can find it here.

To learn more about Kassy LaBorie, you can find her on LinkedIn or visit her website, Kassy LaBorie Consulting. And, don't forget to check out her page of awesome free resources for virtual training.

What does it look like to be a Black or Brown learning and development professional in this day and age? Why do so few of us have a platform or voice in this field? In this episode, I reconnect with an old, familiar face, Deadra Welcome. I met Deadra while serving as the Director of Events with the Association for Talent Development's (ATD) Maryland chapter. Deadra is now on the board of directors with ATD Metro Washington D.C., where I'm currently a member.  

About Deadra:

Deadra Welcome is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Concerning Learning, LLC. She brings over 25 years of experience as a learning strategis and business partner to help you and your organization achieve higher levels of performance and reach your desired learning goals. Deadra spent 27 years working in the federal government as a training program manager. She is a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and has many other credentials behind her name. 

To learn more about Deadra Welcome, visit her LinkedIn profile or business website, Concerning Learning.

Based in the United Kingdom, the award-winning, John Hinchliffe joins me in our virtual lounge to talk about how he's used this devastating pandemic to uplift learning and development professionals. Have you ever wondered why you take to binge watching Netflix shows so much? Perhaps, it's the user experience, and what can learning and development professionals do to create meaningful and engaging, binge-worthy learning experiences?

About John:

Nominated for a COVID Champion Learning Award for his efforts during the pandemic, silver Learning Professional of the Year awardee by the Learning and Performance Institute and former board director of the eLearning network, John's currently the Head of Talent at Jam Pan.

To contact or learn more about John, visit his LinkedIn profile page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-hinchliffe-yourskillshub/

In this episode, Yolanda Fraction, M.Ed. talks with Nicole Papaioannou, PhD about the importance of a strong needs analysis, reflects on overcoming virtual training hurdles at the beginning of the pandemic and discusses the importance of partnering with your internal and external client to create an engaging learning product. 

About Nicole: 

Nicole Papaioannou, PhD is an instructional designer and performance-focused, training consultant. Her entire professional career has been focused on empowering others to achieve their personal and professional goals. Over 250,000 users have taken courses that she designed or were designed under her leadership. Her work has been recognized by Brandon Hall and Chief Learning Officer Magazine. 

You can learn more about her work by visiting https://www.yourinstructionaldesigner.com/.

"Empathy is a recognition that the person in front of you has an experience that may be quite different from yours. It's not about a basic skill, it's not about a PowerPoint and it doesn't fit on a module. Let's take that E in e-Learning and include it to be empathic and to have empathy in that." - Elliott Masie 

About Elliot:

This high-profile, special guest really doesn't need an introduction! He is a true GOAT (greatest of all time) in my book, he coined the term "e-Learning" in the 1990's. And, I'm astonished just how far the field has come since then, most of us are now doing 100% virtual training and e-Learning has never been more important! Elliott is a Broadway producer, the founder and CEO of The Learning Consortium and The MASIE Center, among other roles. Join us for this special episode as we sit at the feet of this expert and develop our skills as learning professionals who value and honor the experiences of our learners.

About Mike: 

Mike Taylor is more than your average, run of the mill learning consultant, he is someone who’s constantly scanning the horizons for what’s best in class in L&D. He’s a learning nerd who specializes in the intersection of learning, design, and technology. This episode will give you lots of learning and development “gold nuggets” in such little time. Mike possesses a wealth of knowledge in this field and generously gives away his knowledge and advice during this show.

Join me on my virtual couch as I talk with my learning and development peer, Tamara Kravitz. She's applying inclusive design to her e-learning and live, virtual learning projects as she works as a government contractor with her clients to accommodate the needs of all learners.

I met Tamara a few years ago, when I was a member of the Maryland chapter of the Association for Talent Development (ATD). We've co-authored an article in ATD's Chief Talent Development Officer (CTDO) on Unconcious Bias. Tamara is someone that I consider to be my "iron" and I'm certain that I "iron sharpens iron".

About Tamara: 

Tamara Kravitz is an experienced learning director, instructional designer, adult learning specialist, learning strategist, and trainer. An expert at developing online training, instructional videos, human-centered UX/UI, podcast, animations, posters, course catalogs, marketing, and training campaigns. Key strengths include implementing game-based new hire training, LMS implementation and administration, engaging with SMEs, business leaders, and C-suite on training and education, mentoring new designers, managing learning teams, and leading training organizations by performance-driven results.

What do your learners need right now? What do "you" need right now? Is it human connection in this new normal, and mostly virtual environment? This episode is all about tapping into the power of human connection. Dr. Marisa Franco, Ph.D. will help you to think about ways to navigate this virtual environment, though you may be physically apart, you don't have to be socially apart. You'll also be able to use these "golden nuggets" to help your learners stay connected, while building successful professional relationships in the virtual space.

About Marisa:

Marisa Franco, Ph.D., has a doctorate in Counseling Psychology from The University of Maryland. She was previously a professor at Georgia State University, where she became an academic expert on friendship. The research has taught her that being the type of person that others want as a friend has nothing to do with being accomplished or charismatic, but is all about loving and celebrating others. She currently works as a policy fellow at Millenium Challenge Corporation. There, she uses research to develop best-practices for building schools, hospitals, wells, and other projects that target international poverty.

Ever meet someone for the first time and feel like you've known them all your life? Yep! That's how I felt when I met Kassy LaBorie. She's a virtual training expert for many reasons. With over 20 years of experience designing, developing and delivering virtual training, she has a wealth of knowledge in her toolbox that she's happy to share with me, her new L&D (learning and development) friend and with all of you! Come join us as we sit on our virtual couch and talk about what's on our minds. 

About Kassy:

Kassy LaBorie is an live online facilitator, producer, instructional designer, and virtual training platform expert. She is also a frequent and popular speaker at ATD, Training Magazine and other learning and development conferences and events. In her role as director of virtual training services for Dale Carnegie Training, Kassy leads the development of the live online training events focusing on program design, trainer and producer development, and overall participant experience. Prior to joining Dale Carnegie, Kassy held positions as a master trainer for InSync Training, where she delivered online programs using the many platforms available, and as a senior trainer at WebEx helping to build the WebEx University. She started her training career as a software trainer for which allowed her to develop the necessary technical agility to effortlessly run online events.

To learn more about Kassy LaBorie, you can find her on LinkedIn or visit her website, Kassy LaBorie Consulting. And, don't forget to check out her page of awesome free resources for virtual training.